Murphy set to lead Carlton

Carlton is expected to name midfield gun Marc Murphy as captain for the 2013 season when the club finalises its on-field leadership on Wednesday.

Murphy is understood to have been chosen as the new captain to replace Chris Judd, ahead of the highly regarded Andrew Carrazzo, largely because of the club's desire for a next-generation leader.

While there had been speculation that Mick Malthouse would opt for Carrazzo - who fits the gritty, self-sacrificing style that the triple premiership coach has always treasured - Murphy offered Malthouse and the Blues the opportunity to make the appointment a longer-term one.

Murphy is 25, with 142 games' experience while, at 29, Carrazzo is the same age as Judd, who stood down as captain over summer after spending all five of his years with the Blues leading them.

Marc Murphy is expected to be named Carlton captain today. Photo: Sebastian Costanzo

Carlton had announced a five-man leadership group of Murphy, Carrazzo, Kade Simpson, Jarrad Waite and Nick Duigan in December after a vote of the players, and after Judd removed himself from a formal leadership role.

Carlton's board was to ratify the appointment of the new captain - a formality - before any announcement.

Advertisement

Murphy's first match as permanent captain would be to lead the Blues in Friday night's NAB Cup grand final against the Brisbane Lions at Etihad Stadium.

Murphy is the same age as Nick Maxwell when Collingwood's 2010 premiership captain was made skipper of Malthouse's Magpies before the 2009 season. Previously, Malthouse chose a 23-year-old John Worsfold to be West Coast captain for the 1991 season; in both cases, the new, younger skipper led his club to a premiership in his second season at the helm.

Murphy, the No. 1 draft pick of 2005, captained the Blues during Judd's four-match suspension late last season and impressed the club with his leadership. Then coach Brett Ratten had planned to appoint Murphy captain for 2013, in the knowledge that Judd wished to step down for the 2013 season after five seasons in the job.

Murphy won the club best and fairest in 2011 and made the All-Australian team. Last year, he missed six games after suffering a serious shoulder injury in round eight following a collision with Adelaide's Patrick Dangerfield.

Despite the shoulder, Murphy still finished fifth in the club best and fairest last year from only 16 games.

Over the past two seasons, Murphy has significantly developed the defensive side of his game, adding this element to his renowned offensive and ball-winning abilities.

Carlton trialled Murphy, Carrazzo, Simpson and Duigan as captains in the course of the NAB Cup.

Carrazzo has signed a contract extension that will tie him to Carlton until the end of the 2015 season.